Maternity garment



July 21, 1942. E; R. SUTTER MATERNITY GARMENT Filed March 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jul 21, 1942. a. SUTTER MATERNITY GARMENT Filed March 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 21, 1942 MATERNITY GARMENT Edward R. Sutter, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to The Stayform Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 27, 1940, Serial No. 326,247

4 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a combined undergarment and abdominal support and in particular to a maternity garment.

Maternity garments of the usual type comprise multi-piece corsets in which the various pieces are laced together, to permit adjustment of the garment in correspondence with a change of body contour. These garments are uncomfortable to wear and in some instances create such improper pressure on the body of the wearer as to be dangerous to the health of the wearer. The present maternity garments are provided further with extensible portions to enlarge the garment for fitting over the abdomen. In the prior commercial practice, adjustment is generally made at the. side of the garment by means of laced connections, so that the garment is widened without in any way changing the shape of the front portion to correspond with a change in the abdominal contour. The abdomen, therefore, conforms itself to the front portion, rather than the front portion being shaped or fitted to the form of the abdomen. The corsets, therefore, are improper in shape, and often cause undesirable pressure on the wearer, and certainly discomfort.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved maternity garment which may be expanded with the body to give support in all stages of pregnancy.

It is another object to provide a maternity garment in which the front portion is formed with extensible vertically and horizontally arranged darts, which are adapted to be unfolded in a manner to form a pocket-like front portion which corresponds substantially with the contour of the abdomen. In other words, it is an object to provide a maternity garment which may be expanded at the front or abdominal portion without interfering with the fit of the remainder of the garment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a supporting garment having an integrally formed in-elastic front portion which is adapted for development to fit the contour of the abdomen, to provide for a maximum support of the abdomen.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a supporting garment having an in-elastic but adjustable front portion and side and back portions formed with elastic inserts to facilitate body action and movement of the wearer, to thereby provide support as well as comfort for the wearer.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a maternity garment in which an in-elastic front portion is formed with horizontally and vertically extending darts adapted to provide for a substantially elliptical expansion of the front portion to obtain a development of the front portion in substantial conformance with the contour of the abdomen to provide for a maximum support thereof, and in which a back portion is formed with extensible vertically arranged darts adapted to provide for a uniform widening of the garment across the back thereof.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a maternity garment in which the uplift is formed with horizontally extensible pocket portions to adapt the uplift to changes in breast contour.

It is a further feature of this invention to provide a maternity garment in which the front is elliptically expansible, the back portion horizontally expansible and the pockets of the associated uplift horizontally expansible to in all provide a garment which is capable of development over its entirety to provide for the greatest maximum comfort and support of the wearer.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the complete garment, before development thereof, opened out to its fullest extent;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the darts in the back portion of the garment before expansion thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrated similarly 'to Fig. 2 showing the dart expanded or unfolded to its fullest extent;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the garment before development thereof showing the same in place;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the garment illustrated similarly to Fig. 4 showing the garment fully developed.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a vertically extending dart on the front portion of the garment before expansion thereof.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. 6 showing the dart expanded to its fullest extent.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the brassiere showing the extendable darts thereof in a closed position; and

Fig. 9 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. 8 showing the darts fully expanded.

With reference to Fig. 1 the maternity garment comprises a front portion ll], a brassiere or uplift ll, side portions l2, and a back portion IS, the bottom of the garment being suitably provided with hose supporters l4. Each side portion I2 is of substantially rectangular form and is provided with an elastic insert I6 which is horizontally extensible. The back portion [3 is also of substantially rectangular shape and includes a central section ll having extensible sections 3 on each side theerof. The section I! includes an elastic gore Zi'l, disposed centrally near the lower end, and shoulder straps l9 attached to the upper end thereof. Each section [8 is provided with vertically extending darts 2! which are arranged in pairs and adap ed for expansion in a direction at right angles to the stitching line 22 of the darts; the darts 2| being integrally formed in each section 13 as by folding, as is shown in Figs. ,2 and 3. Expansion of each dart 2| acts to widen the garment across the back portion [3, the arrangement of the darts 2! in each section !8 and on opposite sides of the shoulder straps I9 serving to center the section 1-! and straps +9 in the back portion 13, by extending the garment equally to each side of the body of the wearer. Thus in Fig. 2 a dart 2! is illustrated in afully closed position with the folded port-ion 23 clearly visible; the fold being of substantially rectangular shape. In Fig. 3 the fold 23 is completely expanded, the rectangular shape being retained and all of the expansion occurring at right angles to the stitching line 22. The darts 21, therefore, serve only to progressively increase the size of the substantially rectangular sections 2!, and do not effect any change in the shape or contour of these sections. The support to the back of the wearer is thus maintained for all adjusted positions of the darts 2|.

The uplift portion ll (Figs. 8 and 9) is attached to the upper end of the front portion 10 and is provided in a substantially non-elastic material with an uplift and pocket portions 24. [The pockets are formed with vertically extending darts '25 through the centers thereof, the darts being adapted to extend the pockets 24 in a horizontal direction. The dotted lines in Fig. 9 indicate the increase in the size of the pockets '24 by the expansion of the darts '25.

The front portion ii] is of integral construction and is provided in a suitable non-elastic cloth material, the portion Ill being confined to a substantially rectangular form by attachment to the garment binding edges '25. The portion in is formed over the upper part thereof with horizontally extending expansible darts 275, which extend completely across the "front of such portion. Each side of the front portion ii! is formed with a vertically extending expansible dart 2&5 which extends substantially the full height of the portion H), the stitching line 29 of each dart 28 passing in close proximity to the corresponding ends of the darts 21. Each dart 2,7 and 28 is formed by a folding over of the non-elastic material of the front supporting portion ll), the initial stitching lines 3! and 29 respectively, before development of the garment, being of substantially straight-line form and the creased edge 32 of each dart 2 1 and 28 being of substantially arcuate contour. The fold of each dart 21 and 28, therefore, is progressively smaller or tapered from a section substantially centrally of the dart toward its ends. This form of each of the darts 21 and 28 effects a spreading or fanning out of the darts on expansion thereof -to provide for a pocket development of substantially elliptical con-tour in the front portion W. The expanding action of the darts 2'! and 28 is best seen in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6 an end portion of a dart 28 is shown in closed position, the fragmentary piece of material 33 being of substantially rectangular shape. In Fig. 7 the dart 28 is in its fully expanded position with the blank 33 of irregular shape and angularly extended or spread out from the stitching line 29, the degree of extension being progressively greater from the end 34 of the dart 28 in a direction toward its central portion.

Each vertical dart 28 is of maximum width over that portion thereof which is in overlapping relation with the darts 21, so that the taper of the lower section of each dart 28 is of a lesser slope than the .taper of the upper section thereof. Since the darts 21 are horizontally arranged in the upper part of the front portion l9, and the darts 28 are formed with their greatest width over their upper sections, a greater development of the front portion H] will occur over the upper part thereof on expansion of the darts '2 and 28. The arrangement of the three darts 2 1, as above described, provides for a more read-yconformance and adaptation in the shaping of the front portion is to the normal changes which occur in the contour of the abdomen during pregnancy. The darts 23 provide for the full development of the darts 21 without the occurrence of a buckling or tightening of the portion it through the center one of the darts 21. The darts 28, therefore, permit the portion 48 -to curve outwardly while the sides of the portion are retained in their rectangular arrangement by attachment with the binding 26. The two blanks which form the integral front portion 10 by being sewed together at seam Sare thusI originally out according to a pre-deterinined pattern which will form a' frontportion 1-6 of substantially fiat form :and of rectangular configuration when the darts 27 and 28 are in their folded positions and which will provide for the development of a pocket or pouch in the portion 110 particularly adapted-for a shaping to the abdomen, with retention of the rectangular configuration. The blanks, therefore, as originally out are of a form other than rectangularto provide for the development of the portion [8 in this manner.

The operation .of the garment 1 8116513 described with reference to Figs. 4 and 15, In Fig. 4 the a men i "sho n l e wi h th darts in the back portion I3, the darts 2'! and '28 in the portion IE3 and darts 25 in the brassiere ii, in their o d or o ed po i ns- :In thi cond tion, e f ont r ma /i9 is o bstsn i i rli contour and the garment is adapted to provide a suitable support for an abdomen f normal c nt u n i 5 he darts 1.. 2 .2 and '1 are shown in their fully expanded positions, the dotted lines representing the increase in the material added to th garment by such expansion. The front portion it thus fully developed has rm d t i a el p i lly ared po ch which is in substantial correspondence with the contour of the abdomen so as to provide for a maximum support of the abdomen without effecting any improper pressure thereon. The darts on the front and back of "the garment,

, after being unfolded from their original sewed positions, are sewed again only when they are folded to an intermediate adjustment position. When the wearer requires the garment to be let out t its est si e. ther a e n folds an o n win on the old iDevel men f the garment is usually made at the corset shop selling the garment, and enables the wearer to at all times obtain an accurate and proper fit of the garment to provide for maximum comfort and benefit.

The invention is thu seen to provide for a maternity garment which is adapted for development over all portions thereof, so as to provide for a maximum body comfort of the wearer and a maximum carrying support of the abdomen. The elastic inserts in the sides I2 and back 13 mold the garment to the body and provide for comfort in walking and sitting. The front portion It, by means of the darts 21 and 28, may be developed at any time to conform to the contour of the abdomen, the darts 2| serving to uniformly extend the back portion l3. There is thus no pressure exerted on the abdomen in disagreement with any portion thereof, and the abdomen is positively carried or hammocked in the extensible, but non-elastic pouch formed in the front portion Ill. Adjustment of the back portion l3 and the front portion I may be made either concurrently or independently, depending upon the particular requirements of the development.

It is to be understood that only preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein and that modifications and alterations thereof can be made which are within the full intended scope of the invention, as

defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A maternity garment adjustable for various body contours to provide support for the abdomen for each of the various contours including strap means secured to said garment and extendable over the shoulders of a wearer, and a front portion having at least two portions secured together in a vertical seam and normally positioned over the abdomen of the wearer, said front portion including a vertical fold at each side thereof and a plurality of horizontal folds extending across said front portion with one of said horizontal folds positioned between the top of said front portion and a position corresponding to the abdominal center of the wearer, and with said horizontal folds spaced apart from one another and each ending substantially at the inside edge of each of the vertical folds when said vertical folds are in their maximum folded position, and with all of said vertical and said horizontal folds being positioned within th confines of the area of the front portion in all positions from a maximum to a minimum folded position, with each of said vertical and horizontal folds having a portion intermediate the ends which is wider than the ends, and all of said folds being selectively and variably expandable to provide for a progressive enlargement of said front portion inavertical and horizontal direction upon change in body contour at the abdomen of the wearer and form a pocket-like configuration in said front portion to support the abdomen of such wearer in each such contour change.

2. A maternity garment adjustable for various body contours to provide support for the abdomen of the wearer for each of the various contours including strap means secured to said garment and extendable over the shoulders of a wearer, and an inelastic front portion with two parts secured together in a central vertical seam and a vertical fold at each side of th front portion extending substantially from the top thereof, to a position corresponding to the lower portion of the abdomen of the wearer and a plurality of horizontal folds spaced apart vertically from one another in said front portion, one of said horizontal folds positioned between the top of said front portion and a position corresponding to the abdominal center of the wearer and with all of said vertical and said horizontal folds being confined in all folded positions entirely within the confines of the area Of said front portion, with each of said folds having a portion intermediate the ends which is wider than the ends, and all of said folds being selectively and variably expandable to provide for a progressive contraction of the folds and an enlargement of said front portion into a pocket-like configuration upon change in the contour of the abdomen of the wearer to fit relatively snugly to, and support the abdomen of such wearer in each cantour change.

3. A garment for supporting the bust and abdomen of a wearer for the various contour changes thereof during th period of pregnancy, including an elastic portion, a relatively inelastic but expansible front portion having two parts secured together at a vertical central seam, a brassire portion above saidrfront portion, and strap means secured to said garment and extendable over the shoulders of a wearer, said front portion including a plurality of horizontal folds with one of said folds extending substantially across said front portion at a position between the brassiere portion and a position corresponding to the center of the abdomen of the wearer, and another of said folds spaced from said one fold and extending substantially across said front portion at a position corresponding to the position of the abdomen of the wearer, and a plurality of vertical folds extending over the front portion substantially from the brassire portion to the bottom of th abdominal position of the wearer, with said brassire portion having a pair of bust pockets therein and each bust pocket having an adjustable fold therein, and with all of said front portion and brassier portion folds being selectively expansible to adapt the bust pockets and front portion to bust and abdomen enlargements in the wearer and act on the same in a lifting-supporting action.

4. A garment adapted to conform to and support the abdomen of a wearer for the various contour changes thereof during the period of pregnancy, including strap means secured to said garment and extendable over the shoulders of a wearer, and a relatively inelastic but expansible front portion having two parts secured together at a vertical central seam, said front portion including a plurality of horizontal folds with one of said folds extending substantially across said front portion at a position between th top of said front portion and the abdominal center of the wearer, another of said horizontal folds extending substantially across said front portion at a position below the abdominal center of the wearer, and with another of said horizontal folds extending substantially across said front portion at a position between said first two mentioned folds, with all of said horizontal folds being selectively expansible to form a pocket-like covering therefor and adapt the front portion to abdomen enlargements in the wearer and act on the same in a lifting-supporting manner.

EDWARD R. SUTTER, 

